It makes sense in markets like Manhattan where there is only one first-run real IMAX and “AVATAR” was pulled prematurely for “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” from several key 3D runs.
I have worked Times Square theatres. We never denied kids admission during the day and the police had no power to cite the theatres as long as the movie was not considered obscene, which, of course, was almost impossible to determine. We DID have licensed matrons but did not enforce the seating sections as some other city theatres did.
The signs that said ‘unaccompanied children would not be admitted’ were there so we could use them as an excuse to refuse admission to notorious trouble makers. They meant nothing otherwise.
“Swooping down upon the Paramount Theatre in Times Square Wednesday morning, a squad of sixteen Board of Education truant officers, accompanied by several regular policemen, caught and surprised a lot of ninety-six boys and girls playing ‘hookey’ from hot, dull classrooms…parents were summoned and duly warned.”
The article further states that more than 1000 children skip class every day and attend the movies.
Although there was a New York law about admitting children during school hours, no theatre ever enforced it until after the classification system was instituted in 1968 and even then, Walter Reade Theatres (DeMille, Victoria, Astor) refused to acknowledge the rating system.
Adults had to accompany children only to evening performances in Times Square. Children attending alone in the daytime had to sit in the matron’s section where “playing hookey from school” was a problem dating back to at least 1940.
Loews not only played X-rated films, they were the first to introduce independent X-rated films to a major first-run market by opening “WITHOUT A STITCH” at the Manhattan State and Orpheum Theatres in 1970 to huge grosses, much to the chagrin of Jack Valenti, who called Loews management irresponsible. The Loews Orpheum/Cine then opened numerous x-rated films in the early seventies.
“The Sensual Male” and “Sexually Liberated Female” had a double feature twelve theatre break in February 1972. Released by mini-majors New World and Aquarius, Loews was hardly above showing them. The Gates was still advertised as a Loews during 1972 and Loews Georgetown also played several X titles during these years.
X-rated films did not become truly graphic until after “DEEP THROAT” was released that summer.
It makes sense in markets like Manhattan where there is only one first-run real IMAX and “AVATAR” was pulled prematurely for “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” from several key 3D runs.
The Miami Drive-In opened in 1938 and was advertised as the largest drive-in in the country. It closed in 1977.
As a legitimate theatre this was called the Upstage.
The term used was “unmarried print”. It was not uncommon at preview screenings nationwide in the eighties.
It’s an aquarium pet shop.
http://www.reefzonecorals.com/
This location is already listed as the Art Towne.
/theaters/12462/
I have worked Times Square theatres. We never denied kids admission during the day and the police had no power to cite the theatres as long as the movie was not considered obscene, which, of course, was almost impossible to determine. We DID have licensed matrons but did not enforce the seating sections as some other city theatres did.
The signs that said ‘unaccompanied children would not be admitted’ were there so we could use them as an excuse to refuse admission to notorious trouble makers. They meant nothing otherwise.
Ad for the newsreel theatre in April 1942, after America entered the war.
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From the New York Times, June 7, 1940.
“Swooping down upon the Paramount Theatre in Times Square Wednesday morning, a squad of sixteen Board of Education truant officers, accompanied by several regular policemen, caught and surprised a lot of ninety-six boys and girls playing ‘hookey’ from hot, dull classrooms…parents were summoned and duly warned.”
The article further states that more than 1000 children skip class every day and attend the movies.
Although there was a New York law about admitting children during school hours, no theatre ever enforced it until after the classification system was instituted in 1968 and even then, Walter Reade Theatres (DeMille, Victoria, Astor) refused to acknowledge the rating system.
Adults had to accompany children only to evening performances in Times Square. Children attending alone in the daytime had to sit in the matron’s section where “playing hookey from school” was a problem dating back to at least 1940.
“Fantasia”, longest run in the history of talking pictures:
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World’s Wonder News theatre:
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By the time the Rockefeller Center subway station opened this site was already doing ice shows.
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Jerry Lewis made a personal appearance here on opening week, March 30, 1970 to help launch the site.
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This is now the Cineworld O2.
http://www.cineworld.co.uk/news/210/detail
I agree with CWalczak on every point… except I saw the lame third sequel.
Jeff, are you thinking of the United (7829 NE Second Avenue)?
The zip code was 33147.
Apparently “Meet John Doe” could justify opening at both the Rivoli AND the Hollywood.
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Loews pretty much abandoned Brooklyn in the 80’s.
Loews not only played X-rated films, they were the first to introduce independent X-rated films to a major first-run market by opening “WITHOUT A STITCH” at the Manhattan State and Orpheum Theatres in 1970 to huge grosses, much to the chagrin of Jack Valenti, who called Loews management irresponsible. The Loews Orpheum/Cine then opened numerous x-rated films in the early seventies.
“The Sensual Male” and “Sexually Liberated Female” had a double feature twelve theatre break in February 1972. Released by mini-majors New World and Aquarius, Loews was hardly above showing them. The Gates was still advertised as a Loews during 1972 and Loews Georgetown also played several X titles during these years.
X-rated films did not become truly graphic until after “DEEP THROAT” was released that summer.
If you type in a current address,
3025 Sunny Isles Boulevard, 33160
You can actually see the twin auditoria and round lobby incorporated into the existing mall on this Bing map.
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Based on the bookings and the facade, these two photos on Brad Smith’s photobucket are of the RKO Coliseum in 1935.
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Could there be two of you looking?
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The DVD is available through Something Weird with “Sticks & Bones” on the same disc.
Mike, it was a separate chain operated out of Boston by a man named Elias M. Loew.